NextSTEP

The future of CleanTech in Italy is now! 🌱 In Q2 2024, €87 million was invested in Italy's CleanTech sector, surpassing investments in artificial intelligence and machine learning. "The clean energy revolution is no longer a distant dream - it's happening right here in Italy" commented Claudio Colombo, NextSTEP's Managing Director. Despite this significant growth, Italy still remains behind in terms of overall investments compared to other European countries. 💡Why is Italy still behind other European countries? A significant factor is the lack of a robust ecosystem. To build a thriving CleanTech sector, we must focus on four key areas: ▪ Fostering partnerships between startups, investors, and public institutions to scale green technologies and promote open innovation. ▪ Providing support from public institutions to establish a regulatory framework that accelerates CleanTech growth. ▪ Engaging universities in nurturing talent and fostering entrepreneurship, ensuring a skilled workforce for the CleanTech sector. ▪ Increasing investments in startups, particularly in later stages, to guarantee their success and scalability. 🌿 Read the full article to discover how we can create a greener, more sustainable future for Italy: https://lnkd.in/eRbhJK38 | #CleanTech | #Sustainability | #Innovation | #GreenTech | #Italy |#Collaboration | #Investment | #CleanTechGrowth |

NextSTEP is thrilled to share its most recent strategic #CleanTech investment into PulpaTronics , an innovative, UK based company developing sustainable, cost-effective RFID tags for inventory solutions that reduce environmental impact. PulpaTronics’ fully recyclable, metal-free and chipless RFID tags are designed to meet the growing demand in the retail industry for eco-friendly solutions. With scale, PulpaTronics’ RFID tags will provide additional cost savings and enhanced recyclability, reducing the amount of e-waste ending up in landfill and setting a new standard for sustainable product identification. Claudio Colombo, NextStep's Managing Director commented: “Our investment in PulpaTronics perfectly aligns with our commitment to fostering innovative solutions that address pressing environmental challenges. By revolutionising the RFID industry with sustainable, metal-free technology, PulpaTronics demonstrates the kind of bold, impactful innovation we aim to support at the earliest stages." NextStep looks forward to working with both Co-Founders: Chloe So, who leads the long-term roadmap and execution of PulpaTronics, and Barna Soma Biro the lead of technology innovation research and prototyping. | #climateinvestment | #climatetech | #greentech | #sustainabletech | #startup | #VC | #VentureCapital | #sustainabledesign | #Nextisnow

  NextSTEP is thrilled to share its 11th CleanTech Investment into ClearWatt, a UK based tech start-up focused on enhancing the electric vehicle industry. Clearwatt’s aim is to ensure that the shift to EV’s is simple and accessible for everyone, providing a platform designed to make buying, selling and owning electric vehicles hassle free. ClearWatt’s innovative solutions, such as the EV Health Checker app, offer critical insights into battery health and vehicle performance, empowering both consumers and businesses to make informed decisions. NextStep is pleased to join further investors to support a company dedicated to enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of the EV market, driving the transition to a cleaner, greener future. Claudio Colombo Managing Director at NextSTEP said: “I am excited  to support ClearWatt’s growth. Their innovative approach and commitment to sustainability align perfectly with our values. We believe in their vision and look forward to working with ClearWatts Co-Founder and Managing Director, Patrick Cresswell, on the journey towards a greener future for the automotive industry. | #EVMarket | #UKEV | #SustainableGrowth | #NetZeroJourney | #SustainableInvesting | #ElectricVehicles | #CleanTech |

NextSTEP is pleased to have been featured in Zefyron’s article, “Top 10 Early-Stage Venture Capital Firms in Italy.” The article highlights NexStep's commitment to supporting early-stage startups and fostering growth and innovation within the Italian venture capital landscape. Read the full article below. | #VCFunding | #CleanTechInvestments | #GrowthCapital | #CleanTech | #Sustainableinnovation | #NextStep |

💡 What are the key qualities of a successful cleantech entrepreneur?   Claudio Colombo, Managing Director of NextSTEP answered:   "Standing out in the sustainability sector is becoming increasingly complex due to growing competition. At NextSTEP, we carefully examine different realities and, over the years, we have identified numerous factors that allow us to make accurate decisions regarding which teams to invest in.   "These characteristics can collectively contribute to the success of cleantech entrepreneurs engaged in developing technologies to address critical environmental challenges. Combining passion, technical expertise, business acumen and adaptability can more easily lead to a transition to a more sustainable future."    Find NextSTEP's seven features of a successful cleantech entrepeneur below, and visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/dsEyBH_X   | #sustainablestartup | #NextSTEP | #CleanTech | #Sustainability | #VentureCapital | #Innovation | 

NextSTEP is immensely proud to have officially closed its first 10 CleanTech startup investments.   Since operational launch in September 2022, we have strategically invested over €1million in 10 #CleanTech startups with world changing decarbonisation technologies.   Our portfolio now includes a range of startups at the forefront of clean energy, biotechnology, smart city solutions, fashion production and sustainable agriculture, all united by the common goal of environmental sustainability.   At present, NextSTEP is currently the only VC fund in Italy 100% dedicated to investments in sustainability on a pre-seeded target. As the home of CleanTech, we remain focused on our mission to catalyse change within the sector. We are actively looking for new opportunities and aim to expand our investment portfolio to an ambitious 25 startups by the end of the year.   Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to empower the next generation of sustainable startups.   | #NextSTEP | #CleanTech | #Sustainability | #VentureCapital | #Innovation | | The First Element | Bufaga - clean air | iotilize.me | Ganiga | Nina.Energy | ToMove | Agrisky | Chloris Geospatial | Atium | Musthad |

NextSTEP is elated to mark a significant milestone with our 10th #CleanTech investment, this time in Musthad, an Italy-based Innovative Start-up and Benefit Corporation. Musthad is revolutionising circularity in the textile industry through its cutting-edge excess inventory management software. Musthad's all-in-one platform is transforming waste management for textile companies with a data-driven approach, optimising circular operations while ensuring traceability of waste flows and reporting of impact KPIs. Claudio Colombo, Managing Director at NextSTEP said, "Innovation is the thread that will weave the future of the textile and fashion industry, transforming it from a source of emissions into a beacon of sustainability. We believe Musthad will be the solution to make this industry more circular".   We are looking forward to working with Musthad's co-founders, Eugenio Riganti and Matteo Aghemo, and can't wait to see the significant environmental contribution their platform will deliver.   This pivotal investment not only furthers environmental sustainability but also stands as a strategic asset for companies to enhance efficiency, cut costs, maintain regulatory compliance, and pursue Sustainable Development Goals.   | #CircularFashion | #SustainableDevelopment | #InnovationInFashion | #WasteManagement | #ImpactInvesting |#SDGs | #MilestoneAchievement |

NextSTEP is thrilled to share its most recent strategic investment into Atium , a pioneering Swedish startup focused on sustainable mercury removal from water.   Mercury contamination is a global health and environmental hazard.  Atium ’s cutting-edge water treatment technology provides a cleaner alternative to traditional mercury removal methods, allowing for efficient, reusable, and energy-saving mercury extraction.   In addition to NextSTEP, Atium  welcomes investment from Butterfly Ventures, GOKAP Invest, and 5J Holding, enabling Atium to further advance its water treatment activities, reducing toxic emissions for a safer, more environmentally friendly future.   Johan Björkquist, Atium 's Co-founder and CEO said: “Atium ’s mission is to tackle the critical issue of heavy metal pollution in waters with a sustainable and cost-effective solution for global industrial applications. This funding will enable us to launch our first product, scale up our industrial pilots and expand our team. We are very happy with the group of investors we have gathered, as they add significant value to our company and our journey.”   Claudio Colombo, Managing Director at NextSTEP commented: “We are committed to sustainability and recognise the crucial importance of water purification. We are excited to have invested in Atium , a decision that reflects our values and our commitment to effectively combating climate change.” | #climateinvestment | #climatetech | #greentech | #watertreatment | #waterpurification | #investinthefuture | #startup | #VC | #VentureCapital |

We are excited to announce our latest strategic investment in Chloris Geospatial, the leading company in global forest carbon monitoring. Chloris’ monitoring technologies enable the scaling of forest conservation and restoration solutions by allowing trustworthy assessment of their impact on the ground. Developed under the guidance of its co-founder and Chief Science Officer, Alessandro Baccini, Chloris’ technology produces reliable annual estimates of biomass density and quantifies forest carbon stock and change for any area of interest by utilising earth observation data, proprietary sensor fusion, and machine learning algorithms. In addition to NextSTEP, Chloris Geospatial welcomes also the Cisco Foundation as investor. The two new additions join existing investors AXA Investment Managers, Orbia Ventures, At One Ventures, and Counteract in a new funding round that will support the continued advancement of Chloris’ mission.   Claudio Colombo, Managing Director at NextSTEP said, "Our strategic investment in Chloris is a decision made in alignment with our mission and values,and reflects the critical role of trusted monitoring technologies in tackling climate change effectively."   This investment reaffirms our commitment to our mission and values, and we are thrilled to support the continued advancement of Chloris’ mission. #climateinvestment | #climatetech | #greentech | #forestconservation | #zerocarbon | #investinthefuture | #startup | #VC | #VentureCapital

Delighted to announce NextSTEP's 7th sustainable investment, in Agrisky, a pioneering startup dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality through vertical farming innovation. Agrisky's mission is crystal clear: to guide companies towards carbon neutrality while promoting sustainable agriculture. The company's cutting-edge solutions empower businesses to offset their carbon and water footprints by supporting vertical farms globally. Partnering with Agrisky means accessing data-backed CO2 and water compensation certificates, along with expert guidance in selecting and executing ideal projects. Agrisky is committed to providing the most innovative, reliable, and transparent pathway to #NetZero. "We believe in the power of innovation to address environmental challenges, and we're excited to collaborate with the visionary team led by Kaloian Stanimirov Gueorguiev, CEO of Agrisky, to drive their growth forward." - Claudio Colombo, Managing Director of NextSTEP. Thanks to the team for another fantastic job: Dario Rjeili - Investment & Program Manager, Davide Nielsen - Investment Director, Michele Catanzaro - Head of Legal, and Claudia Calderini - Legal Counsel. | #sustainableinnovation | #sustainableinvesting | #startup | #accelerator | #verticalfarming | #carbonneutrality | #climateinnovation | #carbonoffset |